Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford told the Post-Gazette that "in Philadelphia, the plan right now is to talk to one person." That person is believed to be Johnston.

During an interview on Monday with The Oregonian about the Winterhawks' NHL draft prospects, Johnston said he wouldn't comment when asked about the Penguins.

Tuesday night, other news outlets also reported that Johnston and the Penguins may already have started a conversation.

Since the season ended, Johnston also interviewed for the head coaching vacancy with the Vancouver Canucks before they hired Willie Desjardins.

Johnston, 57, has been an NHL assistant with the Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings before he was brought in by new Hawks owner Bill Gallacher in October 2008, after the season had started.

He turned the franchise from a team that won 28 games from 2006 to 2008, into a perennial power that played for the Memorial Cup last season and reached the Western Hockey League championship finals this season, before losing to the Edmonton Oil Kings in Game 7. Edmonton went on to win the Memorial Cup.

He brought to the Hawks a renewed focus on players' education. He emphasized accountability and installed a sense of professionalism, his players have said throughout the season.

Johnston has worked with Penguins prospect Derrick Pouliot, who was his first draft pick as the Hawks coach and general manager in 2009, and is known for developing young players. His hockey philosophy includes playing an up-tempo, puck-possession game, and current Hawks say that he's a great communicator.